Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-06-29

x.t.ct fuyniture, In twenty nine housea
A.. to he found the old fashioned seat and
a..k Our directors and citizens howe YER,
d;.n,.v q commendable zeal in the con.
sruc,ion OF good house and the use of
proper furniture, and so rapidly Is means
allow the old is replaced BY tno new In
the care and attention given to school
grounds we cannot say SO much. Our
grounds, generally, with very few e1cep-
tions, arc not enclosed or graded, aud in
number of cases the location Is chosen
with neither view to health or beauty.
In . country like ours that abounds In rich
scenery and healthful localities nothing
will coudone the vice Of choosing unwise-
" tho site for tho school house. Trees
and shrubs planted around the houses are
destroyed, houses and out-buiidings are
defaced, and windows broken during vsca-
ton. A neat enclosure would not only
add greatly to the appearance Of the build
ing and grounds, but would be 8 protec-
tion as well, and in the end wise econo-
nv. For these reasons added to the other
fact. that il comes when our schools are
nearly all closed, Arbor Day has not been
well observed with Us. A number OF trees
have been planted but teachers directors,
and citizens have yet to learn. that as much
attention ought to be given to besutifying
the grounds as to the interior decorations
of the school room.
Fifteen schools during the last term were
furnished by the directors with unabridged
| dictionaries. The need Of apparatus is ocs
that is generally felt. As We bad occasion
to say in our last report, "Every SCHOOL,
room should be furnished with primary and
elocutionary charts, unabridged dictiona-
ries, large Bible. and outline maps, and no
teacher should be employed who will not
agree to use tbem."
As class our teachers have done COM
mendable work, showing themselves earn
est, sincere and capable. Of the tescbers
employed during the school year just clos
ed, about forty-seven per cent. have taught
moro than five years, sixteen per cent. bad
no previous experience in teaching, and six.
ty EIGHT per cent. denoted their intention
of making teaching . permanent business.
However, We have g few so-called teach
ers, whose only desire and interest in the
work is to reap the salary it affords.
The county institute is q valuable educa-
tional agency in furnishing professiona,
training for our teachers. The last insti.
tute was complete success and especially
marked by the practical character Of the
work done the day sessions, for tho most
part, having been employed in regular class
room drill in which the teachers were kept
busy with pencil and note books. The ef-
fects of this training were evident in the
methods and manners of the teachers After
wards in their several schools.
Principal among tho educational agencies
town Academies, the Normal class Of Prof.
J. T. Altman at Thompsontown, and the
private school of II. G. Sausman ct Meal
isterville. A large number Of our young
teachers and those having teaching in view
have been in attendance at one or other of
these Institutions during this summer.
We suffer most from the want of profess.
ional knowledge on the part Of our teach
ers. In scholastic attainments, while not
as we'll qualified as is to be desired, they
are generally competent.
In conclu sion We desire to thank the
teachers, directors, patrons and press for
the cordial support they have gwen nc,
--a sse-Dsf-4.r---.'~.' ~. '.--is'nd ---e-4ss
Gus treatment, and upon all, as well As upon
our incompatible system of education I'VE
invoke the blessing Of Heaven.
W. Z. AUNAS, Nj
Supt Jupi.ta COUNTY